Kelechi Iheanacho finally secures a spot at Leicester City

Becomes the most expensive Nigerian Football Professional

Leicester City have signed Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City…at last!

After more than a month of negotiations, deals, legal tussles and tests of patience, Leicester have finally confirmed the arrival of the 20-year-old striker.

The deal is believed to be worth about £25million with Man City insisting on a buy-back clause of £50m.

That fee has been agreed for the past four weeks and, since then, it has seemed like the longest wait for a transfer of all time, with fans having to deal with continued stories about the legal battle between the striker’s former and current agents over his image rights.

But, finally, it is done. Just in time to for the start of the Premier League season.

Iheanacho joins the Foxes after three years at Manchester City where he rose through the ranks of the club’s academy system before making his senior debut in 2015.

Speaking to LCFC TV, Iheanacho said:

“It feels good and I’m happy to be part of this team. I know the ambition of the team and speaking with the manager, he let me know what I need to do – to help the team achieve what they want. I was convinced and I’m happy to be here.

“I was happy speaking with the manager, knowing what the team wants. It gives me more confidence that I will fit in this team and hopefully I’ll achieve a lot.”

Leicester City manager Shakespeare added:

“It’s a great signing for us. Kelechi is an enormously talented player that has shown a huge amount of promise at every level in which he’s played.

“We’ve tracked his progress for some time, so we know how much quality he’ll bring to the squad. He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s ready for the next stage of his development and I’m delighted that will be with Leicester City.”

Leicester secured Iheanacho’s signature ahead of a number of interested parties, with Tottenham, West Ham United and Monaco all believed to be interested.

The success of this transfer has ensured that Kelechi Iheanacho has become the most expensive Nigerian export. Before now the top sport has been held by Odion Ighalo in his move from – Watford to Changchun Yatai which was worth – €23.3m.